Lesson 1: Exercise (Basic Brioche Crochet Square)

In this exercise, we’ll create a small brioche crochet sample — a simple yet effective way to strengthen your understanding and build confidence with the stitches. This sample is easily adjustable, making it a perfect project for experimenting. 

By simply repeating two rounds, you can expand it into a larger square — ideal for turning into a pillow cover, coaster set, or even the starting point for a blanket. 

Take your time to enjoy the rhythm of the stitches, observe how the colors interact, and feel the unique texture forming beneath your hands. Each round will help you deepen your familiarity with brioche crochet — and open the door to a more complex pattern in the next lesson.

You can either follow the written instructions below, or download the ready-to-print PDF HERE. A print-friendly copy without step-by-step pictures is available for download HERE. 

For extra guidance, I’ve also recorded a step-by-step video tutorial to walk you through every round — perfect if you prefer learning visually or want to crochet along in real time. 

Take your hooks, pick your favorite yarn colors, and let’s begin! Together, we’ll transform simple stitches into beautifully textured brioche crochet. 

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BASIC BRIOCHE SQUARE PATTERN 

Materials 

If this is your first time with Brioche crochet, please, choose thick enough and softer yarn in two contrast colors. Solid colors with high contrast work the best for this technique. 

For my samples shown in the picture and in the video, I used Scheepjes Catona yarn (100% mercerized cotton; 50g/125m). 

I used 3.5mm crochet hook (please, choose a slightly bigger hook than is recommended for your chosen yarn).

Gauge is not important for this exercise. The sample square can be extended to any size. 

Abbreviations (US terms)  

beg begin(ning) 

ch chain stitch 

ch-sp(s) chain space(s) 

ch2-sp(s) chain 2 space(s) 

cont continue 

crn(s) corner(s) 

lp(s) loop(s) 

opp opposite 

pm place marker 

rep(s) repeat(s) 

RS right side 

sp(s) space(s) 

st(s) stitch(es) 

prev previous 

yo yarn over the hook 

WS wrong side   

Stitch guide 

BPdc back post double crochet: yo, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice. 

dc double crochet: yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps] 2 times. 

FPdc  front post double crochet: yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice. 

sc single crochet: insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook. 

ss slip stitch: insert hook in next st, yo, draw up a lp, pull second lp through first lp on hook. tr treble crochet: yo 2 times, insert hook in indicated st, [yo, pull through 2 lps] 3 times. 

tr treble crochet: yo 2 times, insert hook in indicated st, [yo, pull through 2 lps] 3 times.

Pattern repeats 

[…] repeat instructions inside […] as many times as indicated in the pattern. 

*…; rep from * repeat after * as many times as indicated in the pattern. (…) work several sts in/around the same st 

Pattern Notes 

• One color is used for one round; do not cut yarn at the end of the rounds but carry it up to next rounds on WS.  
• Change color in ch1 at the beginning of every round, unless otherwise instructed. 
• FPdc/BPdc are always worked around sts of same color from 2 rounds below.  
• Ch-sps behind front post stitches will always be skipped. 

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INSTRUCTIONS 

Copyright. An original Lilla Björn Crochet Design (Taťána Kuprijančik). Copyright 2014-2025. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only. It cannot be sold, redistributed, or edited in any way. Translations and video tutorials are not allowed. You can sell your finished products, but you cannot use my pictures to promote them. Please, always credit me as a designer of this pattern. Thank you!

Round 1: Beg with Yarn A. Make an adjustable ring, ch1 (does not count as a st), 8sc into ring, ss to beg sc – 8 sts. 

Round 2: Ch1 while changing to Yarn B (do not cut Yarn A). Ch5 (counts as first dc and ch2-sp), 1dc in same st as join, [ch2, skip next st, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in next st] 3 times, ch2, ss to beg ch5-sp – 8 dc and ch2-sps. 

Round 3: On this round, work all tr and dc in front of ch2-sps. Ch1 changing to back to Yarn A grabbing it up on WS (do not cut Yarn B, make sure the float of yarn on WS does not pull – here and throughout), beg in same sp as join, [1sc in next ch2-sp, 1tr in st of Round 1 below already occupied with 2 dc from prev round placing tr between them (pm), 1sc in same ch2-sp, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1dc in next skipped st of Round 1 below, ch2] 4 times, ss to beg sc, ss to crn tr – 2 sc, 1 dc and 2 ch2-sps per side, 1tr in each crn. 

Round 4: Ch1 changing to Yarn B, beg in same st as join, *(1sc, ch2, 1sc) in marked crn st (pm in ch2-sp), [ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1FPdc around next st of same color below] 2 times, ch2; rep from * 3 more times, ss to beg sc, ss to next ch2-sp – 2 sc, 2 FPdc and 3 ch2-sps per side, 1 ch2-sp in each crn.  

 Pattern repeat 

Round 5: Ch1 changing to Yarn A, beg in same crn ch2-sp as join (here and all odd rnds), *1sc in marked crn ch2-sp, 1FPtr around crn st below (pm), 1sc in same ch2-sp, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1FPdc around next sc of same color below, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1FPdc around next dc of same color below, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1FPdc around next sc of same color, ch2; rep from * 3 more times, ss to beg sc, ss to next FPtr. TURN – 2 sc, 3 FPdc and 4 ch2-sps per side, 1 FPtr in each crn. 

Round 6 (WS): Cont working on WS. Ch1 changing to Yarn B, beg in same st as join (here and all even rnds), *1sc in marked crn st, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1BPdc around sc of same color, [ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1BPdc around next FPdc of same color] 2 times, ch2, skip next st of opp color, 1BPdc around sc of same color, ch2, 1sc in next crn FPtr, ch2 (pm); rep from * 3 more times, ss to beg sc inserting hook from back to front (here and all WS rnds). TURN – 2 sc, 5 FPdc and 6 ch2-sps per side, 1 ch2-sp in each crn. 

End of pattern repeat 

Rep Rounds 5-6 until your square reaches the desired size. 

For a more dynamic and eye-catching look, you can switch to a new color for Yarn B after a few rounds, while continuing with the same color for Yarn A. This simple change adds depth and visual interest to your brioche fabric without altering the stitch pattern.

Last Round (RS): Ch1 changing to Yarn A, *1sc in crn ch2-sp, 1FPtr around crn st below, 1sc in same ch2-sp, [1sc in next st of opp color, 1FPdc around next st of same color below] rep to last st of opp color before next crn ch2-sp, 1sc in next st of opp color; ss to beg sc. Fasten off. 

 Hope you enjoy!

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Now you’re ready to continue deepening your knowledge of brioche crochet! 

In Lesson 2, you’ll learn how to create intricate brioche stitch patterns using increases and decreases to form beautiful shapes and textures. 

A new, exclusive pattern is waiting for you — a perfect opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and explore the creative possibilities of brioche crochet even further. 

We’ll also discuss how to read and understand written instructions confidently, so you can follow patterns independently, even without a video tutorial. 

Got questions? Drop them in the comments — I’ll be happy to answer them!

With love, 

Tatsiana 

 p.s. To view materials from Lesson 2, click HERE.